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IBM used to sell computers directly to consumers. For a brief, maybe fifteen year period out of their 100 year history. And even those weren't big sellers. Poi
by mikestew 3y ago
IBM used to sell computers directly to consumers.
For a brief, maybe fifteen year period out of their 100 year history. And even those weren't big sellers. Point being, I don't know that it was ever reasonable to ask the "man on the street" what IBM does, and expect anything but a vague answer.
Hell, my mother used to program their 370s and System/38s (precursor to the AS400). I haven't asked, but if asked the same question, I wouldn't be shocked if her answer were, "wait, they're still in business?"
- bluedino 3y agoMy grandmother has been retired for years, she worked as an accountant. Any time there's a conversation about computers, she'll pipe in with remarks about how "Compaq makes the best computers".
- cbarrick 3y ago> For a brief, maybe fifteen year period out of their 100 year history. More like 34 years. The IBM PC debuted in 1981, and they sold their PC business to Lenovo in 2005. > And even those weren't big sellers. Still, let's not downplay the impact that the IBM PC had on the industry.
- mikestew 3y agoMore like 24 years, but point taken. I thought the PC end was sold off in the late 90s.